Inmarsat-4 F1, 2, 3

Inmarsat-4 (I-4) [Astrium]

Inmarsat-4 is the fourth generation of satellites for the London-based global mobile satellite communications operator Inmarsat. Designed to be around 100 times more powerful than the present generation and to provide a ten-fold increase in communications capacity, the satellites will support the new Broadband Global Area Network (B-GAN), to be introduced in 2004 for internet and intranet solutions, video on demand, video-conferencing, fax, e-mail, telephone and high-speed LAN access. Two of the satellites will be launched in 2005 while the third will remain on the ground as a spare.

As prime contractor, Astrium will deliver both the platform (based on the high-power Eurostar-3000GM version of Astrium's Eurostar series) and the payload, including the on-board processor.